Who knows why, but Google just extended the security update life of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. According to their dedicated support page that shows the schedule of guaranteed updates for both Nexus and Pixel devices, the 6P and 5X will now receive an extra two months worth of security patches.
Previously, Google set the end date for both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X at September 2018, or three years from the time that each device first became available on the Google Store. This morning, that date changed to November 2018, giving both phones an additional couple of months of security.
Google hasn’t updated their Android versions months for the 6P or 5X, so you still shouldn’t expect many big updates past the Android Oreo update you just got. However, an extra couple of months of security support is never something you’ll see us complain about.
In mid-2016, Google provided specific timeframes for when Nexus devices would stop receiving new Android version updates. Today, Google is back to update us again, but this time, for when security updates will specifically cease for all current Nexus and Pixel devices.
Before today, all Google provided was a not-so-technical timeframe. The exact words were, “For the longer of 3 years from availability or 18 months from when the Google Store last sold the device.” Yeah, that’s some backwards gibberish, not even sure if it’s English.
Anyway, we now know specifically when all current Nexus and Pixel devices will no longer receive security updates.
Here are the details you’ll need to know. In layman’s, the below dates are when you phone is officially unsupported and you should really consider upgrading.
It’s somewhat galling to think that in order to get the best of the basics in an Android phone these days that the most popular option to turn to is a OnePlus 5. Where one of these phones used to start at $300 or $350, it now starts at $479.
But, if you decide to go bonkers on memory and get a OnePlus 5 with 8GB of RAM for $539, the company will treat you to not only a free pair of its Bullets V2 earbuds (a $19.99 value), but also discounted priority shipping — which could get you going anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks quicker. To most US customers, it’s a 6-day difference and a $22 discount to $6.99.
Value additions are generally good, all things considered. Whether you’d rather have them or not for the cost of a fast food meal is up to you.
OnePlus 5 sales are moving along quite a bit — in spite of the reported troubles that the company has had to chase after — though capturing the version with 8GB of RAM at $539 has proven to be somewhat of a tough task.
Well, the company has notified US tech press that that variant of OnePlus 5, painted Midnight Black and which also comes with 128GB of storage, “is now available for immediate dispatch for a limited time.”
Of course, we were sent the email at 3am Eastern. But good news: at 6pm Eastern same day, that souped up device is still immediately available.
“Limited time” could mean hours. It could mean days. But now’s a great time to make a decision on whether or not you’ll want a OnePlus 5.
Earlier this summer Motorola announced an addition to their G series of devices, the Moto G5S Plus. The new device was described as a “special edition” of the Moto G5 Plus, but in reality is an upgrade to the former device. That should make it a smartphone worthy of consideration by mid-tier buyers as we rated the Moto G5 Plus highly, so the Moto G5S Plus should be a more compelling option.
The biggest upgrade that the Moto G5S Plus gets compared to the original phone is the addition of a dual-camera setup on the rear, the first G series Motorola phone to get a dual-camera. The Moto G5S Plus is also slightly larger with a 5.5-inch screen versus the 5.2-inch screen of the Moto G5 Plus. Some other smaller differences include an upgrade in RAM options to 3GB or 4GB compared with 2GB/4GB and the front-facing camera has been upgraded to 8MP from a 5MP unit. Otherwise, the Moto G5S Plus gets the same Snapdragon 625 processor, metal body, 3,000mAh battery, and choice of 32GB or 64GB of storage.
Pricing for the Moto G5S Plus in the U.S. is $280 for the 3GB/32GB version and $350 for the 4GB/64GB version. However, now through September 28th, Motorola is offering a $50 discount making the prices $230 and $300. The phone will be available on September 29th.
A new Samsung device has just received certification from the National Radio Agency based in Samsung’s hometown of South Korea.
The device has the model number SM-G888N0 and is said to be known as the Galaxy X, which is set to be the company’s first foldable phone that has been heavily rumored Samsung has been working on. Now the device has received formal certification, it would suggest that the Samsung Galaxy X could be launching very soon, albeit in South Korea to begin with.
The Wi-Fi alliance lists the device as Bluetooth 4.2 and running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow which would be slightly disappointing. I suspect this may be outdated given the profile of the Galaxy X in the lineup for Samsung and would expect similar specs to that of the rest of the Galaxy line.
The foldable smartphone is said to be being developed under codename Project Valley and points to a late 2017 or early 2018 release.
A device that folds up is an interesting concept and one that if executed correctly, would open the door for Samsung to further increase the display size on a smartphone without increasing its physical footprint.
Foldable phones were all the rage pre-smartphone but could Samsung be using the Galaxy X to reignite that trend or has it finally figured out foldable displays?
If the rumors are true we won’t have long to find out as we could see something launched in South Korea at the tail end of the year.
The phone will be called ‘Mate 10’ outside of China.
Huawei has lost no time in releasing its smartphone to catch up with and compete against Vivo’s X20 and X20 Plus launched just a couple of days back.
Huawei’s new phone is named ‘Maimang 6’ (it will be called ‘Mate 10’ outside of China). The phone has a 5.9-inch IPS full HD display, its screen resolution being 2160x1080pixels. It’s a least bezel display with the aspect ratio being 18:9. Under the hood, Huawei has fitted its in-house CPU, the octa-core Kirin 659. The phone comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal memory. Further expansion of the storage is feasible through a microSD card.
The optics department is unique on the Huawei Maimang 6 since it has four cameras, a double camera setup in the rear and a double camera setup in the front as well. The rear camera setup has a 16MP plus a 2MP camera. It is capable of capturing images even in blurred backgrounds. On the front, the combination of 13MP plus 2MP sensors with a f/2.0 aperture lens. In addition, the front camera is supported by the spotlight flash and bokeh effect as well.
The operating system is the Android Nougat version 7.0 with Huawei’s UI EMUI 5.1 skin riding over it. The battery fitted on the Huawei Maimang 6 or Mate 10 is 3340mAh.
The phone has all possible connectivity options, including compatibility for 4G LTE networks. A fingerprint sensor is also present on the rear panel of the phone.
Huawei will make the phone available in three colors, black, gold and blue. Priced at CNY 2, 399 (approx. Rs. 24, 000), the phone will start shipping for Chinese customers from September 30 while the rest of the world may see its equivalent launched in October.
As yet another evolutionary device rather than the design revolution some cash-strapped iFans may have expected, the iPhone 8 is unsurprisingly overshadowed by the much sleeker X, despite the latter’s delays and availability concerns.
We’re talking of course about media coverage and apparent consumer interest, because in terms of critical reception, the 8 and especially 8 Plus seem to be doing just fine.
While we continue to cook up our exclusive in-depth reviews, it’s definitely worth highlighting how the smaller iPhone 8 handled JerryRigEverything’s obligatory durability inspection.
In a word, pretty great. In more, let’s start off by noticing Apple’s “most durable glass ever” and sapphire camera lens claims don’t exactly hold up in real life. The iPhone 8 screen is about as resistant to scratches as any high-end Android display around, and the rear-facing shooter appears to cut a few build quality corners.
Still, there’s no denying this is a robust slab of (mostly) glass and (very little) metal, largely impervious to razor blades, coins and keys, and impossible to bend with sheer force of will. It even bravely combats flames… if you somehow feel that information is relevant to the way you typically use your mobile device.
Meanwhile, iFixit’s comprehensive teardown examination concluded in a repairability score of 6 out of a possible 10, which is much better than Samsung’s DIY Galaxy S8 nightmare, but actually one point lower than last year’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus grades.
As always, you’re advised to not try any of the above, including scratch, flame, bend tests and routine disassembly, at home unless you know precisely what you’re doing or just want to watch the world burn.
The original Huawei Nova Plus was decent but not necessary a memorable phone. With the follow up, Huawei is focusing on the front camera and audio capabilities.
At AED 1,399 (US$375), the Huawei Nova 2 Plus is cheaper than the likes of Honor 9, but it’s also not at the same performance level as that or the Nokia 8.
Packaged in a white box that looks very much like the one we saw on the Honor 8 last year, the Nova 2 Plus comes with a fast charger, a USB Type C cable and a headset along with the quickstart guide.
Like other Huawei phones we’ve reviewed of late, a translucent case is also bundled to protect the phone. We think it’s great that Huawei is providing basic protection out of the box.
Less is more
The Huawei Nova 2 Plus can be seen as a cheaper version of the Huawei P10 Plus. It has almost identical dimensions and a slightly less premium, yet, a beautiful design.
Instead of the glass strip found on the top of P10 Plus with Leica brand, the Nova 2 plus has a smooth all-metal back.
It’s available in three colors- Graphite Black, Prestige Gold and Aurora Blue. We got that last one for review and it has a nice zen like finish that is achieved by moving the antennae lines on the top and bottom.
HUAWEI NOVA PLUS SPECS
Weight: 169g Dimensions: 153.9 x 74.5 x 6.9mm OS: Android 7.0 Screen size: 5.5-inch Resolution: 1080 x 1920 CPU: HiSilicon Kirin 659 RAM: 4GB Storage: 64GB Battery: 3340mAh Rear camera: Dual 12 + 8 MP Front camera: 20MP
Even though the screen size is 5.5 inches, the Huawei Nova 2 Plus sits comfortably in your hand. And with a weight of 169g, it’s easier to handle than other phones with similar screen sizes.
Huawei has placed the fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone. Although we prefer a fingerprint sensor on the front, the positioning of it on the Nova 2 is well thought out. It sits reasonably below the cameras and in the center making it very easy for your index finger to reach it.
Like the Huawei P10, the fingerprint sensor is extremely quick to recognize and unlock your phone – among the fastest we’ve used. It also allows for gestures such as pulling down the notification shade or browsing your photos. You can even answer calls and take photos by tapping it.
The 5.5-inch screen on the Huawei Nova 2 Plus is FullHD in resolution which is expected from a device at its price point. It’s LED in technology and is bright enough to be used in the outdoor sun, though you will need to crank the brightness levels all the way up when using it outdoors in a place like Dubai. Huawei has also done a good job with colour reproduction, especially when you use one of the bundled theme that brings out the best the screen has to offer.
Design and display
Subtle and elegant design
Display is bright and sharp
While the Huawei Nova 2 Plus has an elegant design, it won’t necessarily turn heads. It’s definitely more premium than what is expected out of a phone in it’s price range, but it’s a phone that will disappear among all other phones that look like it.
At just 6.9mm thickness, the phone sits comfortably in your hands and is easier to use that other phones with a similar screen size. Although there are bezels present on the top and bottom, they don’t feel oversized though most of us will need to use the phone with two hands.
The left side holds the SIM tray which can take one nano SIM and one micro SIM, or a MicroSD card. On the right, you can find a textured power button was well as volume keys that are easy to reach. Moving to the bottom, the Nova 2 Plus features a USB Type-C port along with a 3.5mm jack.
The back holds the dual camera setup along with a flash on the top and the fingerprint sensor below it to the centre. The front of the phone is very generic- a large glass slab with noticeable bezels on the top and the bottom.
The big brother to the Samsung Galaxy A3, the Samsung Galaxy A5 is all metal mid-range smartphone that packs specs borrowed from the S series. Learn more about it.
Big Battery
Since it’s a uni-body design carved out of aluminum, battery is non-removable with 2300 mAh capacity. However, Samsung Galaxy A5 can handle calls of up to 15 hours on a 3G network on a single charge. Quite impressive.
Android Kitkat OS
The Samsung Galaxy A5, as expected, runs Android OS version 4.4.4 or Kitkat which can be upgraded to version 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Material design is the biggest feature together with TouchWiz, a Samsung custom UI.
Expandable Storage
Samsung Galaxy A5 only comes with a 16Gb option though having a single option for RAM capacity: 2Gb. Memory can also be expanded with a 64Gb more storage using a micro SD card.
Camera
One of the probably common feature that keeps low profile is the camera. Main camera is just 13mp with autofocus and LED flash. Not ideal for night shots but on good lighting conditions, photos can bear good quality.
Front camera is 5mp which is surprisingly huge with a slightly bigger aperture of f/2.2 compared to the main’s f/2.0.
AMOLED Display
The super AMOLED screen size is 5 inches with a resolution of 720×1280 pixels. This is good with 294 pixels per inch density for that high quality view of the contents. This panel delivers deep ink blacks and super bright white that makes the viewing experience a pleasure.
Multitouch capable, of course.
Quad Core CPU
The processor is a huge jump to a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 on a Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset. GPU or the graphical processing unit is a Adreno 306.
Sensors
Accelerometer, Proximity, Compass
These are the sensors used by Samsung Galaxy A5.
Connectivity
Wi-fi antenna can receive data and be a hotspot as well. Bluetooth version is 4.0.
Other connectivity are the microUSB version 2.0, FM radio and GPS.
Audio
All the good stuff are here for the audio department: 3.5mm audio jack with a loudspeaker. MP3 and WAV audio files are played with ease.
Video
Samsung Galaxy A5 can process 1080p@30fps videos in Full HD quality for professional looking footage ready for editing and industry-grade video output.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Click the button to learn more about the features of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
There are three color choices to choose from: Pearl White, Midnight Black, Platinum Silver, Soft Pink, Light Blue, Champagne Gold. All gorgeous designs to have the device that goes with your style and personality.
Need Help with Your New Samsung Galaxy A5?
Accidents can happen to any smartphone but is not a cause to panic because our technicians at Sydney CBD are here to help!
espite the recent acquisitions by Google of some HTC’s smartphone team, it seems HTC has no plans to stop rolling with their smartphone division, or at least for now. A year ago we reported some code names which were leaked by LlabTooFeR. The HTC Ocean, HTC Ocean Note, the HTC Ocean Smart and the HTC Ocean Master. The Ocean came to fruition in the form of the HTC U11, the Ocean Note became the HTC U Ultra and the Ocean Smart has disappeared entirely. Now according to a report from the French Android blog Frandroid, we may be seeing the HTC Ocean Master, dubbed the HTC U11 Plus, a lot sooner than you may think.
Frandroid has reported a full list of specifications of the new device, citing a source at HTC for the leak. They suggest a November reveal initially in the Chinese market, with a likely release in the west in the future. HTC is reportedly entering the bezel-less market, with the help of an 18:9, 2880×1440 screen (supplied by Japan Design Incorporated) and no headphone jack (again). The full list of the specifications of the HTC Ocean Master (HTC U11 Plus) can be found below.
The “Edge Sense” feature is making a return, even if it largely turned out to be a gimmick (though, luckily, HTC began offering users more customization options). It seems this device is largely built on the successes of HTC’s previous devices, with improvements in some departments, notably their display efforts. The same camera sensor is allegedly the same one found on the HTC U11 as well, which is reassuring knowing how well the U11’s camera performs. It may also seem that the price may be lower this time around, as Frandroid points out that the HTC U11 was regarded as expensive at launch ($650), which HTC was not happy about. The waterproof rating is also great to see, as it means that it has total protection from dust and significant protection against water in depths over 1 meter.
The device is said to be announced at a conference on the 11th of November in China, as an attempt to regain some of the Chinese market.
After very recently hitting it out of the park with the incredibly affordable mid-range M6 Note, and making quite a few headlines with the quirky and original PRO 7 duo not that long ago, it’s time for Meizu to “go back to basic.”
Enter the regular M6, following in the footsteps of a crazy cheap M5 with a couple of important upgrades, an interesting redesign and a starting price of just CNY 699, converting to roughly $105.
There’s no point comparing the Meizu M6 and M6 Note, of course, with a single rear-facing camera in tow this time around, a substantially smaller battery, a smaller and lower-res screen, and a modest MediaTek processor replacing the far superior Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 silicon.
Next to the M5, the new guy’s spec sheet will feel weirdly familiar however, including everything from a 5.2-inch 720p display to a 13MP main shooter, 3070mAh cell capacity, and even the same octa-core MT6750 SoC.
But here’s the intriguing part. The Meizu M6 is still made of polycarbonate, aka plastic, adding a “well-rounded” metallic finish and “hand-crafted metal-like lines.” We’re basically talking fake antenna bands and a coat of “shiny metal-like” paint here.
That should at least fool some of your friends into believing this is a premium handset. And at first glance, the entry-level new 5.2-incher does arguably look good… for its price, 2.5D curved glass and everything.
As for actual, beneath-the-surface enhancements, the M6 comes with an 8MP front camera (up from the M5’s 5-megapixel selfie snapper), Android 7.0 Nougat software, as well as a home button-integrated fingerprint sensor. 699 yuan will buy you 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage, with a 3/32 gig variant costing CNY 899, or $135. No word on international availability just yet.